Problem with Eureka Lemons

Discussion in 'Citrus' started by leecohnmd, Aug 28, 2007.

  1. leecohnmd

    leecohnmd Member

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    Location:
    Oakland,California USA
    [SIZE="3"Ihave a four year old dwarf Eureka lemon tree. It is growing well and shows no problem with insects or disease. My problem is that the well formed lemons have a very thick skin. Can anything be done about this type os problem???
    leecohnmd
     
  2. Millet

    Millet Well-Known Member 10 Years

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    Location:
    Denver,Colorado USA
    As explained by The Citrus Industry, Citrus trees in the region of Oakland grow poorly. This condition is not due to the inhibitive effect of lethal minimum temperatures, as the trees are no more frequently injured there by extreme cold than in many of the best citrus sections. It may also be stated rather positively, for the same reason, that the condition is not due to the degree of humidity, lack of water, length of day, or the nature of the soil. It is to be attributed to the lack, during the growing season, of sufficient available heat to promote normal development. Oakland (Alameda County) only has an average annual index of heat available for citrus of +1186 degrees during the growing period (March - November), and an annual index of heat available for citrus during dormant period (December - February) of -522 degrees. This is in comparison to the absolute temperature of 55F. Sweet orange, sour orange and grapefruit trees planted in this region grow very slowly, the leaves commonly remaining small and light green, and growing more or less distorted. In the examination of a number of trees ranging in age from one to ten years, normal lush growth is never observed. Lime and lemon trees, which are among the most tender of the citrus varieties, as affected by lethal temperatures, produce the nearest to normal growth in Oakland of any of the commercial species. It is the experience in California that lemons and limes thrive best and produce the best fruits in sections that continue relatively cool during the growing period. The growing period heat of the Oakland vicinity, however, is not sufficient to provide for a fully satisfactory growth even of these species. A region represented by Santa Ana, CA may be taken as superior to any area for lemon production, having a heat index of +2728 degrees. - Millet
     

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